New Seminary plans interfaith art show in Washington

We will be presenting an important art exhibit called “The Art of Faith.", at The National Press Club in Washington, DC, on March 9, 2009. The purpose of this exhibit is to demonstrate that art can play an important role in transforming conflict and building community.

Pope John Paul, II said, “Society needs artists, just as it needs scientists, technicians, workers, professional people, witnesses of the faith, teachers, fathers and mothers, who ensure the growth of the person and the development of the community by means of that supreme art form which is the art of education."

For this show, artists from various faith traditions will be asked to submit works depicting the core values of love, peace, compassion and community building. If you want to play a role in this important community building arts project, please contact Rev. Jay Speights by leaving a message on the form at the bottom of this page.

Thank You Holy Father

By: Reverend Jay Speights

You know by having a healthy dose of pessimism, you protect yourself from being disappointed. And I have to tell you, that I was not expecting much to result from Pope Benedict’s visit to our country. I felt that the Pope would visit this divided nation and not address the sweeping tide of religious intolerance in America. I expressed my hope that he would do this during his visit on this site yesterday. Well my friends I was wrong because he did that a yesterday and more in a very understated way

In an evening meeting on April 18, with leaders from various faith traditions at The Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, DC, the Pope said, “Protecting religious freedom within the rule of law does not guarantee that peoples — particularly minorities — will be spared from unjust forms of discrimination and prejudice. This requires constant effort on the part of all members of society to ensure that citizens are afforded the opportunity to worship peaceably and to pass on their religious heritage to their children." He also said, “In their attempt to discover commonalities, religious leaders have shied away from the responsibility to discuss our differences with calmness and clarity."

I like what this scholarly and understated man did during his visit to Washington. Yes he has made some mistakes and made some controversial statements. But, he basically said what this divided nation needed to hear, which speaks to the interfaith mission of The New Seminary, and that is, “we have to build upon our common values and use them as a cornerstone for peace.” Thank you Holy Father!

An Interfaith Giant